Government shutdown 2013: D.C. may pay workers out of contingency cash fund

WASHINGTON (AP) - D.C. Council members are looking at keeping the city government running through a potential federal government shutdown by paying employees with funds from the city's contingency cash reserve fund.

A bill circulated to council members Thursday would allow D.C. Council employees to work voluntarily until federal appropriations are approved. Employees would be paid by the city's contingency reserve fund, which had about $164 million in June. Daily city government expenses are estimated at between $17 and $19 million, meaning the fund could sustain city functions for a little over a week.

The bill is expected to be introduced Tuesday, the same day the federal government shutdown would take effect unless lawmakers in Congress reach a budget deal.